Tagged

I was tagged by my dear friend Katrina , with this sweet blog award! The rules of this award are simple, I must share with you 6 random things about myself. 6 random things that you might not know about me. This might prove to be a little difficult, but here goes...

1. I had not tried Thai food until a few months ago. On my birthday this past August, my friend Anna took me to a yummy Thai restuarant and I really enjoyed it! I even got to share a yummy Thai dinner with some of my students a few weeks ago.

2. I love to experience live music. One of my favorite things to do is support local bands and venues. The first concert I remember attending was the Randy Travis show at the Asheville Civic Center. It was an amazing show and the evening was made complete with my very own I've Been Digging Up Bones with Randy Travis t-shirt. Although this is the first concert I remember, my mom tells me I lived it up at the Barry Manilow show in my stroller.

3. I have filed 3 workers comp reports since getting my teaching job. Clumsy might be a word to describe me....if it weren't for those silly scissors, holes in the ground and climbing on tables I would be fine!

4. I love to travel and am anxious to see parts of the world I have never seen. After talking with my dear friend Beth today, I am super anxious to get to South Africa and love on the babies she works with at the Door of Hope. I am in awe of all the beautiful places that are around the world and would love to visit more of them.

5. Just like my friend Sarai, I have no clue what I want to be when I grow up.

6. I secretly would love to take Ballroom Dance lessons.

And now, I would love to hear from some of you...

Amanda - my funny, Glee-loving, kindred spirit friend

Jayme - a dear friend and co-worker...you bring a smile to my face

Christal - a college pal and amazing mom to little Cooper

Megan - a far away friend who is an amazing teacher and person

Erica - a friend with a heart for children's ministry and a heart for Jesus

Kristi - amazing mom to Isabella and Ivy and amazing friend to me

Thankful Thursday...no this is not a joke:)

Don't adjust your computer screen...this is an official post! I am so sorry for being MIA for several months. I could go into what has been going on in my heart and head, but I don't think that it is necessary. What does matter is I am BACK and excited about blogging again.

So my dear friend Sarai has issued a blogging challenge for the month of November. You should check out her blog for more info. Basically she has asked us to try to be more grateful people...so each Thursday for this month, we are going to try to blog about 10 things we are thankful for. So if you have a blog...give it a try. If you don't have a blog, jot it down in your journal or even leave it as a comment on this post! We have much to be thankful for...so let's share!

Today I am thankful for...(in no particular order)

- my momma, she is such a shining example of what is means to truly put others before yourself. She is such an amazing person! Love you mom!

- Sonic Happy Hour

- The promise of Philippians 1:6 God has started a good work in me and will be faithful to complete it!

- Finally finding a church where I feel like I fit...still working on it a little, but I can see how God is drawing me into this community of believers

- my job

- The beautiful fall weather

- The new Shane and Shane CD

- Getting to spend time with some amazing girls on Tuesday night discussing how Jesus completes us

- jeans on Fridays

- my grandparents


It is so easy to focus on all the things we do not have, but we have been blessed beyond measure. So take a little time and share those things that you are thankful for today!

1Chronicles 16:34 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Be blessed....

Things I Love Thursday...

My heart is kinda full right now, in fact my eyes are filling with tears as I think about what I love this day. I love when the body of Christ really lives out the church...when we take the words of James 1:27 to heart and live it out in our everyday lives. ..
James 1:27 (New Living Translation)
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

I know that I don't love this in myself, because I know I have a real long way to go. Have I lived this out in my life? Certainly not nearly as much as I should be. But I am encouraged and challenged, uplifted and broken when I read about people I love, people I don't know, people who just love, who are making a difference in the lives of those that we may call unworthy or not good enough all because they were first loved. Here are just a few examples of this kind of love in action...

My dear friend Beth, is giving her heart and time to the orphans of South Africa through The Door of Hope.

I have been so encouraged watching the Chip In meter on my friend Katrina's blog rise! She is helping to raise money for some friends who are desperately trying to bring Pavel, a special needs orphan home to a family full of love.

And even though I do not know these people, I have been following their journey to India through Compassion International. And today as I read their posts, I was overwhelmed by the way my heart was stirred.

I guess I just am really loving people who love, people who take the love of Christ that lives in them and shares it with the poorest of the poor, the neighbor in need, the baby with no hope. And today, I am ready to love like that. Are you?

Things I Love Thursday...

Once upon a time (before I was a blog slacker), I used to post Things I Love Thursday. I like having some themes to the blogging...so I have decided to start this one back up. I have to admit I was inspired by my friend Sarai to pick this one back up. Sometimes it becomes really hard to decide what to write about, there are really a ton of things that I love...I guess that means I will have lots of Thursday posts coming!

So this week the thing I love is EASTER...for so many reasons. The child in my absolutely loves to get an Easter basket. I know that I am certainly not a kid anymore, but I kinda get a little sad when the Easter Bunny does not leave a basket of super colorful eggs at my house. I hope he remembers me this year. I love to find Reese Eggs and Jelly Beans in my basket, and occasionally cute stationary or other treats. The Easter Bunny does know what makes me smile!Along with Easter comes the spring holiday that all teachers are live for...SPRING BREAK! This year I am needing this break more than ever. I am excited to spend break this year at the beach with my mom and some dear friends. A week of basking in the sun, reading, laughing, watching good movies and sleep, makes me very happy! Emerald Isle...here I come!

But most of all this Easter, I love my Risen Savior. I am overwhelmed by the love He showed for me by His sacrifice on the cross...because of His love for me, I am able to love others. I am humbled by the thought that Jesus would even think of me or want to love me. How grateful I am for this. The events of that Easter Sunday give me hope and joy and purpose and for this I am thankful! What better thing could I love! Here is one of my favorite songs right now...as you celebrate this Easter, may you be reminded of this Divine Romance that we are offered...there is no greater love!


So what are you loving this Thursday?

The Greatest Place on Earth...

Saturday was rainy, it was gloomy, but my world was a little brighter because I was able to visit one of the greatest places on earth...IKEA! The IKEA just opened about a month ago in Charlotte, and I have been dying to go. I thought for sure that if I let the newness wear off, the crowds would have let up and I could enjoy my trip in peace! So, who better to venture to IKEA with than a fellow IKEA-lover my dear friends, Sarai. We did not get there until about 1:30, and we were fully expecting a parking deck which would have been great since it was pouring rain. Well, no such luck at the Charlotte IKEA....it was an open parking lot with lines a mile long to even get in the parking lot. We ended up having to park across the street on the road. We journeyed across the 3 mile parking lot (ok maybe not 3 miles but it sure felt like it) and made our way into the blue and yellow goodness!

So the top floor of IKEA is set up like little rooms that you can check out, the bottom floor is where the actual shopping gets crazy. The top floor on this particular Saturday was CRAZY. Sarai and I felt at times like we were cattle being led out to pasture. There were people everywhere, if I had never had an IKEA experience I would probably never go back...luckily I know better than to judge my experience by this trip.

The store was super nice and the deals of course were amazing! I was pretty proud of myself that I left with only spending 30.00. Here are a few things I left with...

Some super cute black and white bowls...

A cutlery caddy which I am excited to paint and spruce up a little bit...(which I can't find a picture of)

A couple of cute lanterns that I think will look really cute on my table during a spring gathering...

And my favorite find would be a black and white box, which I already want a million more of to put around my house! Gotta love it!

So all in all a great first trip to the Charlotte IKEA...Sarai even left with Her Majesty! Can't wait to head back soon....

Avoidance...

Well I guess you could say that I have been a super bad blogger for the past well, month or so. I thought of all these witty things I could tell you about why I have been absent from the blog world, you know like cute top ten lists about why I have not been blogging or blaming it on my busy schedule. But I decided to just type from the heart for now...

So, basically I have been avoiding my blog. I checked out dictionary.com to see what avoidance really meant and I found that it is a noun meaning the act of avoiding or keeping away from. And this totally fits how I have been feeling for the past several weeks. I have always been afraid to really write from the heart on my blog. The normal insecurities certainly have set in, speaking from the heart just makes you vulnerable and I was not sure I was ready to do that. But over the past few weeks I have just been really falling for and listening to the lies that the enemy tries to sneak into our hearts and our minds. Silly things like, no one really cares about what you have to say on here. Haven't you seen those other blogs, yours does not even come close. Your words do not speak to the hearts of the people you know or might stumble upon this blog. I have tried to cling to the truth that I know, but I just have fallen prey to these feelings of unworthiness and self pity.

Even when I was at church last Sunday, I found myself listening to the voice that just kept telling me I was not good enough. I was frustrated...I know that I am so much more than the lies that I had been listening to. Tonight at small group, we were reading in Luke Chapter 1. In this particular part of scripture, we are introduced to two amazing women...Mary and Elizabeth. Both women were strong examples of faithful servants to the Lord. When Mary came to Elizabeth to tell her she was expecting, Elizabeth shared these words with Mary...

Blessed woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come

true! Luke 1:45 (the message)

I think that my heart has been forgetting that God's word does not turn void and his promises endure. I have been letting the lies lead me to avoidance when I should be claiming and believing the promises that God has for me...I am a beloved and worthy child of God and should be living my life in that way. So friends, there will be no more hiding, no more avoiding...today is a new day!

You would think that after an amazing blog makeover, I would be blogging like crazy! Well, life seems to get in the way sometimes and I have just not had a chance to blog! Thank you all so much for the comments about my blog makeover. I wish I could take credit for it, but I cannot. A big thank you to Kristi for designing a blog that I think really represents who I am! If you ever want to spice up the look of your blog, I would highly recommend her! Thanks again Kristi for really creating something beautiful.

Life has been a little crazy around my world. Last weekend while spending some quality time with some amazing friends, my mom called to let me know my grandfather was in the hospital. He had been admitted to ICU. I knew I needed to head home to be with my family. I stayed with them for several days until my grandfather was able to be moved to a regular room. He is doing much better and has been home for several days. He seems to be recovering well and I am just hoping that that continues.

So that gives you a little idea as to where I have been for the last week or so...more blogging goodness to come!

PS...to see another one of Kristi's great designs...check out my dear friend Katrina's blog! Super cute!

I'm so excited...

about my new blog look...what do you think? Leave me a comment and let me know what you think! There are still a few little things I want to change, but come one people, it is CUTE! I am pumped. I promise to write more later...but for now I am sleepy!

Happy Days to Hope!

Two years ago today, our lives were blessed with a special little girl...Hope Eliana Martins! I will never forget making the trek to Virginia Beach to meet her. I was in love from the moment I saw her. And it has been a joy to be able to watch her grow and be a part of her life for these past two years. She is a spunky little gal, with such a sweet and caring spirit! This summer I was able to go to Tennessee and meet her little sister Maddie. It was so amazing to watch Hope shower Maddie with kisses and love on her! Such a special bond they will have! I know that God has big plans in store for this little one! Happy Birthday Hope...I feel so blessed to be your Auntie! I love you so much!

2009, the year of....

I am not usually one to make resolutions in the new year. I am smart enough to know that I will not follow through with them and I don't like setting myself up for failure. But this year, I am going to really put forth a serious effort to make this the year of me and God. So my resolution or goal for the year or whatever you might call it, is to spend time, REAL TIME, with God. Now, I am not saying that over the last years of my life I have not been spending time with God...I have. But I am not sure that it was quality time. In the past few years, I think I have been doing a lot more of the talking and not nearly enough of the listening or if I was listening, I was already talking over it. I am committing to memorizing 2 scriptures a month. I am going to be spending some quiet time, literally quiet time being still and really listening for that still small voice and really reading and searching through the scriptures. I tell you all this because I want you to hold me accountable my dear friends. Ask me what I am reading. Ask me to let you know the scriptures I am learning. Ask me how God is working in my life. And if I can't tell you...don't be afraid to challenge me. I think for so long I have been comfortable in my walk...it has been common and I am ready to be uncomfortable. I am ready to live in a way that I know God is using and speaking to me. One way I wanted to do this was to ask God to give me a scripture that will be my "year scripture" (for lack of better terms.) Basically, this will be the scripture that I focus on for this coming year. Some people have a life verse, I am asking for a year verse. I have been struggling a lot lately with what God wants from my life, what the plans are, what path I am to take. So my year verse is going to be Jeremiah 29:11-14. I really prayed about this and am so excited to see this time next year how God used this scripture to form 2009. I know that this is a promise that God makes to us...

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. 12"When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. 13-14"When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree. Jeremiah 29:11-14 (the message)

How can I encourage you in the coming year? What is on your heart? We are all on this journey together and I am blessed to be living it with you...2009...it is going to be good!

Holiday Recap

Christmas day was spent at Matt and Billy Mac's house...what fun to watch Billy Mac open presents and get so excited about Christmas. Santa was super good to him...a new Cars bike, a Carolina football uniform and lots and lots of other fun stuff. Family time was so precious this year...

We even brought Gran over to celebrate with us. I loved having her there and I think she enjoyed being able to share some good time with Mamaw and mom. These three women are such an important part of my life. I gave each of them a book to write down family stories and memories. I can't wait to get them back one day with all the treasures and wisdom they have to share.

This sums it up...Christmas was a fun and exciting and tiring day!

The day after Christmas I boarded a plane very early to head to Pittsburgh, PA to drive over to Ohio with Megan to celebrate the wedding of my dear friends, Shannon and Jordan. I was able to spend some sweet time with friends that I had not seen in a while.
Here are the new Mr. and Mrs. Edwards! The ceremony was such a testimony to their love for each other and their love for God. I pray God's richest blessings on this newly married couple.
I miss my friend so much...but was so happy to be a part of her special day!

So this brings us to New Year's which was spent with some great friends, good food, lots of laughter and a little Rock Band! So fun!
Here is to 2009!